Hello, my friend.

This end-of-year episode is a little different. It’s just you and me, and I want to offer you a tool rather than a conversation. If you’re approaching the new year feeling tired, reflective, or unsure how to move forward without forcing yourself into another round of goals or resolutions, this episode is for you.

Instead of goal-setting, I’m introducing a practice I call End-of-Year Self-Concept Accounting. It’s a structured, compassionate way to take stock of who you’ve been, what you’ve lived through, and who you’ve become over the past year, without judgment and without pressure to “fix” yourself.

This isn’t a gratitude list.

It’s not a performance review.

And it’s not about becoming someone else.

It’s about recognizing your growth, reclaiming your value, and intentionally closing the year so you’re not unconsciously carrying it forward.

In this episode, I guide you through six reflective “statements,” modeled after financial accounting, that help you reconcile your inner ledger and create a grounded opening balance for the year ahead.

In this episode, we explore:

Why traditional goal-setting can actually block joy and increase self-criticism
How to create a general ledger of the experiences that shaped you this year
How to categorize growth assets, learning expenses, and internal investments
How to intentionally release beliefs, roles, and obligations that no longer serve you
How to recognize what has truly appreciated within you, even if no one else has measured it
How to assess your current “net worth” in confidence, self-trust, and contribution
How to carry lessons forward as wisdom rather than wounds
How to begin the new year from who you’ve already become, rather than who you think you should be

Throughout the episode, I’ll invite you to pause, reflect, and write. You may want a pen and paper nearby, and I encourage you to give yourself protected, uninterrupted time to do this work, even if it’s not all in one sitting.

My hope is that this practice helps replace self-criticism with self-recognition, and urgency with clarity. When we take the time to see ourselves accurately, we create a much steadier foundation for joy, ease, and meaningful growth.

If this episode resonates with you, I’d love to hear what comes up. You can email us at solvingforjoy@joypointsolutions.com or send a DM on Instagram.

Thank you for being here, and for doing the brave, quiet work of becoming more fully yourself.

May there be fewer resolutions, more self-trust, and joy that comes from standing in your own earned truth.

XO, Chrissie

Resources & Mentions

Influence Is Your Superpower by Zoe Chance
A thoughtful exploration of influence as an ethical, relational skill. Chrissie mentions this book when reflecting on visibility, leadership, and owning the impact you already have.

Stay Connected
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrissieottmd
Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/solvingforjoypodcast
Website & transcripts: https://www.solvingforjoy.com

For Physician Coaches
Physician Coaching Collective: https://www.physiciancoachingcollective.com
Physician Coaching Summit: https://www.thephysiciancoachingsummit.com

Why Goal-Setting Isn’t Bringing You Joy and What to Do Instead